WHAT IS HITKARI KHETI?

'Hitkari' means beneficial. True to the meaning, Hitkari Kheti is a unique organic farming initiative of Divya Jyoti Jagrati Sansthan focusing on the revival of agro-ecosystems for the benefit of the farmer, the consumer, the nation and the nature as a whole. The post green revolution period saw intensive chemical- based, hybrid seed, monoculture farming which completely devastated agroecosystems and led humanity to the present day agrarian crisis marked by intoxicated soil, poor yields, and dried aquifers, lost biodiversity, farmer dependent hybrid seed companies and crippled agrarian economies. Living the universal principle of unity of life, Hitkari Kheti, is an archetypal holistic model of sustainable farming addressing each and every aspect of this multi-layered agrarian crisis. Complementing the traditional know- how with modern technology, Hitkari Kheti is a living research lab successfully demonstrating low- cost, replicable and sustainable nature- based methods of soil improvement, seed improvement , crop diversification and pest management. In addition, it is an active conservation centre working towards the revival and enhancement of the rich Indian heritage of desi seeds for realizing seed sovereignty for Indian farmers. With all these systems in place Hitkari Kheti is also a knowledge hub educating and motivating farmers to shift towards organic desi seed farming as well as attracting experts, researchers and students for learning and knowledge exchange on the subject.

Reviving the rich Indian heritage of Desi (Indian) Seeds

We are actively working on conservation, enhancement and promotion of Desi (Indian) varieties of seeds carved in Nature's own grand lab after several trials over millions of years.
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शुनं नः फाला वि कृषन्तु भूमिं शुनं कीनाशा अभि यन्तु वाहैः| शुनं पर्जन्यो मधुना पयोभीः शुनासीरा शुनमस्मासु धत्तम्|| [Rigveda, 4.57.8] May the ploughshare making furrows on the Earth bring welfare & prosperity to all, may the farmer driving the oxen bring welfare and prosperity to all. May Parjanya (the Rain God) by giving pure rainwaters bring welfare and prosperity to all & may Shuna & Shira (deities of the Farmers) bestow welfare and prosperity to all of us!

This humble prayer pronounced in the Kshetrpati Suktam of Rig Veda clearly puts forth that the Principle of Welfare and prosperity to all i.e. humans, plants, animals, soil, air and water stood at the heart of all agricultural activity in ancient India. However, in course of modernization, man digressed from this core principle of welfare and prosperity to all and started pursuing his own welfare and prosperity without thinking about others. As a result, agriculture which was once revered as an act of service now became a business venture running with the sole aim of earning more and more profits. Chemical additives to boast yields, poisonous pesticides and insecticides to get rid of pests, hybrid seeds for better quality, relentless drawing out of groundwater for irrigation, mono- cropping were the diverse means resorted to enhance personal profits. However, with chemical additives welfare of the soil was put at stake, with pesticides and insecticides life of the micro- organisms, insects, birds, animals was put at stake, with hybrid seeds the life of indigenous seeds carved in nature's own lab was put at stake and with subsidies on electricity and water pumps groundwater aquifers were put at stake, with mono- cropping nature's principle of unity was put at stake. Hence, with agriculture going synthetic life of humanity at large was put at stake. With welfare and prosperity of all at stake, the world today stands amidst the worst agrarian crisis. To alleviate the world out of this agrarian crisis, His Holiness Shri Ashutosh Maharaj Ji has been reviving the core principle of welfare and prosperity to all in modern agriculture through Hitkari Kheti- the DJJS Organic Farming Initiative for the revival of Agro- ecosystems. Based on the ecosystem approach of integrated management of land, water, air and living resources, Hitkari Kheti is a living model of sustainable agriculture ensuring welfare of all living and non- living components constituting the agricultural ecosystem. His Holiness Ashutosh Maharaj Ji explains, "Agriculture is not a mechanical process of reaping yields. It is an organic process, a result of interconnectedness in the complexity of life. The soil is not dead; it is a living system beholding millions of microbes and other dwellers that give soil its texture and form. A crop is not merely a produce catering to human food needs; in fact it beholds a complete living system sustaining lives of several soil microbes and bees and insects. Likewise, water drawn from ground is not only a resource for irrigation; in fact it is a valuable ecosystem service in its own sustaining several living systems."

Under the able guidance of His Holiness Ashutosh Maharaj Ji, DJJS Hitkari Kheti is successfully practising sustainable agriculture in its Hitkari farms integrating in its approach all of the aforementioned systems. Thus, Hitkari Kheti is an exemplary farming model acknowledging and upholding the interconnectedness of the various components of agriculture system as a result it practices nature- based methods for soil health restoration, revival of desi (Indian) seeds, management of crops and management of pests.

Shri Ashutosh Maharaj Ji
Reviving the Principle of ‘Welfare and Prosperity to All’ in modern agriculture


शुनं नः फाला वि कृषन्तु भूमिं शुनं कीनाशा अभि यन्तु वाहैः| शुनं पर्जन्यो मधुना पयोभीः शुनासीरा शुनमस्मासु धत्तम्|| [Rigveda, 4.57.8] May the ploughshare making furrows on the Earth bring welfare & prosperity to all, may the farmer driving the oxen bring welfare and prosperity to all. May Parjanya (the Rain God) by giving pure rainwaters bring welfare and prosperity to all & may Shuna & Shira (deities of the Farmers) bestow welfare and prosperity to all of us!

This humble prayer pronounced in the Kshetrpati Suktam of Rig Veda clearly puts forth that the Principle of Welfare and prosperity to all i.e. humans, plants, animals, soil, air and water stood at the heart of all agricultural activity in ancient India. However, in course of modernization, man digressed from this core principle of welfare and prosperity to all and started pursuing his own welfare and prosperity without thinking about others. As a result, agriculture which was once revered as an act of service now became a business venture running with the sole aim of earning more and more profits. Chemical additives to boast yields, poisonous pesticides and insecticides to get rid of pests, hybrid seeds for better quality, relentless drawing out of groundwater for irrigation, mono- cropping were the diverse means resorted to enhance personal profits. However, with chemical additives welfare of the soil was put at stake, with pesticides and insecticides life of the micro- organisms, insects, birds, animals was put at stake, with hybrid seeds the life of indigenous seeds carved in nature's own lab was put at stake and with subsidies on electricity and water pumps groundwater aquifers were put at stake, with mono- cropping nature's principle of unity was put at stake. Hence, with agriculture going synthetic life of humanity at large was put at stake. With welfare and prosperity of all at stake, the world today stands amidst the worst agrarian crisis. To alleviate the world out of this agrarian crisis, His Holiness Shri Ashutosh Maharaj Ji has been reviving the core principle of welfare and prosperity to all in modern agriculture through Hitkari Kheti- the DJJS Organic Farming Initiative for the revival of Agro- ecosystems. Based on the ecosystem approach of integrated management of land, water, air and living resources, Hitkari Kheti is a living model of sustainable agriculture ensuring welfare of all living and non- living components constituting the agricultural ecosystem. Read More...

shri ashutosh maharaj ji

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VIDEOS

Lakhwinder ji talking about Desi Wheat

Hitkari Green fodder management for Kamdhenu Gaushala

Growing vegetables through indigenous methods Karela Hutments

Inspiring and educating farmers to move towards organic farming

We are de- mystifying myths prevailing around organic farming by showcasing the low- budget, successful farming methods being practised at Hitkari farms.

NEWS

28 Apr

Empathy toward Cows Propounded through Gau Katha at Pathardi, Maharashtra

A seven day Gau Katha was organized by Divya Jyoti Jagrati Sansthan for the masses of Pathardi (District Ahmed Nagar), Maharashtra from 13th to 19th April 2018. Sadhvi Garima Bharti Ji as the Katha or…


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3 Nov

Gau Katha Established the Divine Connection with our Divine Mother in New Delhi

Divya Jyoti Jagrati Sansthan (DJJS) - a non-government, non-profit and a socio-leading Spiritual Organization, Head and Founded by His Holiness Ashutosh Maharaj Ji, organized a 7 days event of Gau Kat…


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10 Jun

Gau Katha Established the Essence of 'Bharat' in Hearts of Disciples from Jalandhar, Punjab

Historians say that centuries back, there was a Roman King ‘Vitelius’ who first used to stuff himself at the whims of his gluttonous palate, and then vomit out by drugging himself. Eat and…


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India turns black, twice each year as farmers set thousands of acres on fire

On Oct 30, 2014 when MODIS on NASA's Aqua Satellite passed over Punjab, Punjab was blazing with fire. Red outlines were visible in satellite image indicating active burning sites. Reality is India turns black twice, each year as Indian farmers set their harvested fields on fire to get rid of wheat stubble in the months of April/ May and paddy straw in October/ November. It's not only about the satellite image; these huge fires directly pollute the area across the Northern plain. Studies have found that every year fires blazed in Punjab directly contribute to 20% rise in air pollution in Delhi. Not only this, driven by greed for more profits, the Indian farmers who believe burning of farms to be an easy way out to get rid of the so called farm nuisance are unaware of the wealth they are losing with each fire. Today, the sche rich heritage of Desi (Indian) seeds which was neglected and ruined in the fascination of the modern factory producientific studies in the agriculture sector acknowledge that farm waste if ploughed back into the land serves as one of the best soil enrichers and also enhances the water holding capacity of the soil, a fact stated and practiced historically in India. Thus, the so called farm nuisance is actually free off cost farm wealth which can maintain soil health from one harvest to another. His holiness Shri Ashutosh Maharaj Ji, founder and head of Divya Jyoti Jagrati Sansthan, took a revolutionary step in this regard, by directly sensitizing farmers on the ill- effects of these fires on the fertility of the lands and then sending out teams of his disciples to educate farmers to altogether dislodge this practice of farm burning. Inspired by this special initiative of DJJS, thousands of farmers have vowed to abstain from farm burning.

India has a rich heritage of desi seeds; better in quality and competitive in yields

The propagators of Green revolution allured Indian farmers into using hybrid seeds in the promise of getting better yields and earning profits. But the growing numbers of farmer suicides are clear indicative of how badly the torchbearers of Green revolution have failed to keep their promise. Ted hybrid seeds, is now being increasingly recognized as saviours of Indian agriculture. Models across the country indicate the superiority of Desi Seeds not only in terms of their competitive yields but the quality and nutritive value of the grain. In an experimental study done on hybrid maize being introduced in parts of Rajasthan under Project Golden Ray, have shown poor results with low to no yields of these hybrid maize seeds. Hybrid seeds have been the leading cause of loss of Desi Seeds. ‘The Cambridge Economic History of India’ clearly mentions that 700- 1000 years ago over 4000 varieties of rice were grown across India, each of which produced 33- 66 quintal/ hectare and that too without any input of chemical fertilizers. In 1807, Mr. John Herman, member of Madras Presidency board noted that average yield of rice in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu then was around 60 quintal/ hectare, which is competitive with the agriculture yields, obtained today with high cost chemical intensive agriculture practice. In addition, famous Ayurvedcharya of 15th and 16th century Acharya Bhav Mishra, mentions in his book Indian Materia Medica that indigenous rice varieties like shvetsaal, rakstsaal, sthoolsaal, krishnsamvak, deergsaal etc. not only give competitive yields but also behold great medicinal value. Today when the Indian farmers are struggling with the agrarian crisis, DJJS Hitkari Kheti comes as a well-researched step not only to conserve but also popularise the long lost wealth of Desi Seeds and lead the Indian farmers from the state of hybrid seed enslavement to seed sovereignty.

Spiders are best friends of farmers

Cobweb covers spreading across length and breadth of lush green farms; this is a daily sight at DJJS Hitkari Farms. Contrasting to the popular belief, these cobwebs are not a nuisance to the standing crop instead they are natural nets protecting the standing crop from onslaught of dangerous pests and mosquitoes. Ecologists, prove that spiders are actually the best friends of farmers as they naturally aid a farmer in pest management. An American arachnologist, Norman Platnick, says, “If spiders disappeared, we would face famine. Spiders are primary controllers of insects. Without spiders, all of our crops would be consumed by those pests.” A simple ecological principle is at work, herbivorous insects are food for these carnivorous spiders, and nature has a natural mechanism of keeping the dreaded farm pests under control. Therefore, next time you see spiders doing their job in your farms, take a back seat because nature is at work to help you through all the trouble you faced because of those tiny colourful pests.

Sustainable yields in an agro- ecosystem are dependent on balance and health of ecosystem and not on chemical fertilizers and nutrient supplements.

The much lauded Green revolution which came with the promise of higher yields, did revolutionize the agriculture sector but in a negative sense.  The shift in agriculture practices was only the physical impact of revolution however; it stirred a deep psychological impact on the farmers. Minds of the farmers were now programmed with one belief -

More yields = More chemical fertilizers+ More insecticides + More nutrient supplements (NPK)

Despite continuous yield losses, farmers driven by this belief, take debts and continue to poison their lands with these dangerous chemical inputs in the hope of better yields. However, the reality is stark opposite to this belief propagated by the so called green revolution. Ecologists clearly state that yields in an ecosystem directly dependent on the health of the soil, diversity of the ecosystem and nutrient cycling. The chemical revolution which came in disguise of green revolution actually had devastating impact on each of these factors. Monoculture and excess of chemical nutrients degraded the soils.  Pesticides not only killed the pests but also the friends of farmers thereby disrupting the complete ecological change. In addition, farmers thought urea and NPK would supply required nutrients to the soil instead it disrupted nutrient cycles and left lands impoverished and yields reduced.

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         New Delhi, 110034
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